It only seems fair to also discuss television shows that I personally didn’t like but that other parents seemed to enjoy and find good for their pre-schoolers. The first one that occurs to me is Caillou. For me, the whiny voice of the main character was a dealbreaker but decide for yourself. In addition to being whiny, he also seemed like a brat to me, not the role model I was looking for in a tv show. I laughed when I read Common Sense Media about Caillou:
What parents need to know: Parents need to know that the main character is a sweet, curious child who loves to explore the world. The program sometimes deals with intense emotions such as fear, anger, loneliness, anxiety, and empathy, but they're presented in a straightforward manner that will help kids, not frighten them. The character sometimes exhibits realistic behavior typical of a 4-year-old.
Some of Caillou's reactions to situations are quite realistic: When he breaks a friend's bucket in the sandbox, the friend tells him that she doesn't want to play with him anymore. Caillou sulks, and when his mother asks him what's wrong, he doesn't at first 'fess up to breaking his friend's toy. A narrator explains Caillou's true intentions to viewers: He's embarrassed. Caillou might also make a sour face or protest if asked to do something he doesn't want to do, but the narrator usually explains his motives. Overall, he displays realistic reactions -- which might make Caillou more companion than role model. But he always gets the life lesson -- and viewers will, too.
Back to me: The reviewer may think that watching Caillou pout, sulk and whine is worth it but I sure didn’t. I am not so sure that he got the life lesson either.
Another show that some parents loved but we did not is Thomas the Tank Engine. Don’t get me wrong because we spent a fortune on Thomas trains and stuff and Drew spent many many hours at his train table building and creating and having the time of his life. Plain and simple he was scared of the show. To me it seemed way too intense at times and just kind of creepy. Someone gave him a video of Thomas as a gift and Drew just shook his head. Let’s see what Common Sense Media has to say about Thomas the Tank Engine:
What parents need to know: Parents need to know that this is generally a male-centric series, though a few females do make appearances. Otherwise, the dramatic action told through the voice of a single narrator will be compelling even for the youngest viewers, without overstimulating young children's sensitive field of perception.
The Thomas the Tank Engine stories were conceived by a young British boy early in the 20th century, who would listen to the trains as they chuffed through the countryside. The stories he told his son -- who has consequently passed them on to his own son -- have been documented in books and toy train models. Since the series was introduced to television viewers in the 1980s, Thomas the Tank Engine & Friends has seen a healthy fan base sprout worldwide. Parents can be assured that this series has educational aspects as well as behavioral modeling. Some of the expressions on the train's faces can be a tiny bit creepy, but the intention behind the animation is good, as follows the tradition of a well-told story.
Me again: “tiny bit creepy?” Yeah right, how about a whole lot creepy! Try it out if you like but my advice is to stick to the train sets.
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